CSE has developed a "Policy Paper on Septage Management in India" as deliverable of Centre of Excellence in the area of sustainable water management under the Ministry of Urban Development. This document on septage management aims to assist the Government of India towards preparation of national level septage management policies and guidelines. Access to improved sanitation in urban India has risen but the management of onsite sanitation systems such as septic tanks remains a neglected component of urban sanitation and wastewater management. Septage, which is a fluid mixture of untreated and partially treated sewage solids, liquids and sludge of human or domestic origin, flows out of septic tanks and enters waterways or is generally disposed into nearest water body or low lying areas. This leads to serious health and environmental implications. This situation demands a well- defined regulation, guidelines and management strategy for septage in the country. The septage management approach, discussed in this report, is an effort to assure that septage can be managed in a responsible, safe, and consistent manner across the states.

CSE has submitted a report on septage management in Shimla as a part of its deliverable as Centre of Excellence in the area of Water Management under Ministry of Urban Development. Shimla city, being highly undulating encounter problems in laying conventional, gravity flow sewer lines that will connect each and every house in all residential areas.

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), is the designated National Key Resource Centre for the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India in the year 2013-14, to conduct training programmes and workshops in the area of rural drinking water and sanitation for PHED officials and PRI representatives in Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.